What a terrific new year for solar energy in
California. Since the California Solar Initiative launched one year ago,
the program has received over 7,000 applications representing about 185 MW
of clean, renewable energy. The Program Administrators—CCSE, PG&E and
SCE, as well as the CPUC—wish you all a happy, safe and prosperous 2008.
Go solar!

Next California Solar Initiative
Public Forum: January 17, 2008

PG&E will host the
next quarterly California Solar Initiative Public Forum on January 17,
2008 from 10:00am-4:30pm at its San Francisco headquarters at 245 Market
Street (click here for map and directions.) The Public Forums are designed
to provide opportunities for interested parties to identify and discuss
top-priority issues related to the California Public Utilities
Commission’s portion of the California Solar Initiative program
administration and implementation. >>
view the 1/17/08 Public Forum Agenda

On January 11, 2008, The
California Public Utilities Commission reissued the updated California
Solar Initiative Program Handbook. The revised edition reflects numerous
changes to the program as a result of Commission Decisions and advice
letters filed by the Program Administrators, most notably in streamlining
measures to the application process and the establishment of non-PV
incentives. This edition of the Program Handbook is in effect as the only
CPUC-approved Program Handbook until modified again by the CPUC. >>
view the current Program Handbook

On December 20, 2007, the
California Public Utilities Commission established California Solar
Initiative incentives for eligible non-photovoltaic technologies. The
Resolution approves revisions to the California Solar Initiative Program
Handbook, establishing eligibility, estimation, measurement, and metering
requirements for non-PV solar projects. Incentives are extended to two
distinct types of technologies: electric generating solar thermal,
including dish stirling, solar trough, and concentrating solar
technologies, as well as non-photovoltaic technologies that displace
electricity, including solar water heating, solar forced air heating, and
solar cooling or air conditioning. >>
view the press release>>
view the Resolution

December, 2007 saw solid
advances in all three California Solar Initiative territories. In
San Diego, CCSE broke the region's all-time CSI application record in
December with just over 1/2 MW of residential solar system applications
and reservations, moving from Step 2 to Step 3. The other two Program
Administrators are moving close to Step 5 in their nonresidential
incentives. In December alone, PG&E customers applied for over 20 MW;
SCE is quickly approaching a Step 5 advance as well, and like the other
PAs, reports little or no backlog. “This says a lot about the high-quality
of the applications themselves,” says CCSE’s CSI Project Manager John
Supp. CCSE granted reservations to 90% of the applications it received for
processing. Recent Program Handbook changes have streamlined the
application process for the California Solar Initiative.>>
view the Statewide Trigger Tracker data in its entirety.

Marketing Spotlight

Look for bill inserts from
Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison that promote the
California Solar Initiative. The California Center for Sustainable Energy
sent out mailers in December to targeted customers in San Diego Gas &
Electric territory.

FREE Statewide Solar Courses and Workshops Held
Monthly

Each month, the Program
Administrators host free training courses and workshops for installers and
consumers interested in leaning more about solar systems and the
California Solar Initiative program. The courses cover a range of topics
and are taught by experienced and knowledgeable solar energy experts. For
schedules and registration information, contact the Program Administrator
in your region or utility service territory:>>
click here PG&E customers and regional installers >>
click here San Diego Gas and Electric customers and regional
installers>>
click here Southern California Edison customers and installers

Rahus Institute Hosts Series of
Solar Events

The Rahus Institute will
host a series of solar forums on February 1, 2008 in Riverside and
February 8, 2008 in Pleasant Hill. [Note, this is not the same as
California Solar Initiative Public Forum.] The solar forum is open to all
parties interested in learning about current issues regarding solar energy
policy and development in California and an opportunity to network with
others in the field. Topics to be presented include: Current status of
statewide incentive programs, power purchase agreements, new performance
assessment tools, solar hot water market development, training/education
developments, K12 education, new gear for the new year, legislation
review... and more. Admission is FREE, but registration is required.
>>
click here to register

Call for Photos of
CSI-Funded Solar Systems

Calling all shutterbugs!
The CSI program is looking for photos of solar systems installed under the
CSI program. The program may use the photos in the next newsletter or
other CSI-related publicity.

When submitting solar PV system
photos, please provide the following: name of photographer; name of
installer, seller, or system owner; system size and location; and full
permission to use photo in CSI related publicity.>> submit your photos (or
preferably a link to online photos) to the CPUC newsletter team

Mark Your Calendar

CSI Public
ForumJanuary 17, 2008 PG&E Auditorium 245 Market
St., San Francisco, CA >>
directions>> click here to submit a
topic suggestion you would like to have covered in the forum Q&A.

Rahus Institute Solar ForumThe Rahus
Institute will host two forums covering a range of topics within the the
private and public sectors, including new solar trends and
technologies.Feb 1, 2008 Riverside
Convention Center3443 Orange StreetRiverside, CA 92501>>
directions

The California Alliance for
Distributed Energy Resources (CADER) will hold its 2008 conference in San
Diego Jan 30-Feb 1. This year’s theme is “Turning On Distributed Energy
Resources” and will feature a headline address by State Senator Christine
Kehoe as well as a diverse speaker lineup. >>
CADER Conference

The CSI program is funded by
California investor-owned utility customers and administered by Southern
California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, and the California Center
for Sustainable Energy under the auspices of the California Public
Utilities Commission.

Your privacy is important to us. The
California Solar Initiative Program Administrators will not disclose your
personal information to any third party.

This email was sent to:
cynthia.zulick@energycenter.org. You are receiving this newsletter
pursuant to D.07.05.047 because you are a participant inthe California
Solar Initiative (CSI).

If you no longer wish to receive these
emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject
line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe